The Latest
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Tracking the waste and recycling industry’s M&A activity
WM is acquiring a Minnesota hauler; Strategic Materials is selling to Sibelco; CARDS acquired an Arkansas hauler; and GFL acquired a Michigan hauler.
Updated April 25, 2024 -
Waste Connections seeing labor retention improvements as it eyes ‘record’ M&A year
The company reported better-than-expected revenue for a quarter which included a sizable acquisition in Indiana. CEO Ron Mittelstaedt also shared updated thoughts on how PFAS regulations will affect the sector.
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Vanguard, TotalEnergies announce joint venture for at least 10 RNG facilities
The companies left open the possibility to expand their partnership to up to 60 organic-waste-to-RNG facilities. The first three facilities will be built on farms in Wisconsin and Virginia.
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Chemical recycling updates from Brightmark, Encina and ExxonMobil
Brightmark recently announced plans for a Georgia project with capacity to process 400,000 tons of plastic per year. Meanwhile, Encina is scrapping plans for a facility in Pennsylvania.
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Labor Department will raise overtime salary threshold to $44K in July, $59K next year
The final rule expands overtime pay eligibility to millions of U.S. workers, the department said, and covers employees working in the waste management sector.
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Colorado legislature greenlights ‘medium’ scenario for EPR implementation
A revised needs assessment showed that the producer-funded program cost come 2035 could range between $190 million and $310 million. An estimate shows the recycling rate could reach 58% by that year.
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Tracking PFAS developments in 2024
The EPA designated certain PFAS hazardous, set drinking water standards for some of the chemicals and updated destruction and disposal guidance. Follow Waste Dive’s ongoing coverage of what it will mean for the industry.
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Waste industry groups still seeking legislative exemption to PFAS hazardous substance designation
NWRA, SWANA, USCC and others say the EPA didn’t go far enough to protect the waste and composting industries from Superfund liability. They see federal legislation as their next step in cementing liability protections.
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EPA’s latest PFAS guidance offers more data but it raises new questions about destruction and disposal
The agency’s first update since 2020 discusses the many considerations involved with handling the chemicals via different categories of landfills, incinerators, injection wells and other technologies.
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The data on climate change’s link to employee deaths, injuries
Exposure to extreme heat, ultraviolet radiation and air pollution poses a serious threat to workers globally, the International Labour Organization said.
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Former Eureka Recycling leader joins TRP as chief policy officer
Kate Davenport will advocate for extended producer responsibility and other policies related to recycling access and viability in her new role.
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US EPA designates PFOS, PFOA as hazardous substances
The waste industry has long worried that the hazardous substance designation would create costly liability issues. The U.S. EPA says it won’t focus on enforcement at municipal landfills, water utilities or farms that apply biosolids.
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EPA agrees to finalize emissions enforcement plan for commercial and industrial incinerators
The Sierra Club has argued that dozens of incinerators are following decades-old standards because the EPA failed to implement a federal plan. The decree would force a final plan.
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Canadian organics processor kick-starts US expansion with Virginia deal
Convertus primarily has been expanding in Canada since it was formed via a private-equity backed merger. Now it’s eyeing several U.S. markets for expansion.
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REMADE conference explores the future of the circular economy
The conference aimed to translate scientific research into tangible circular economy solutions for the researchers, government officials and private companies in attendance.
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Covanta announces rebrand to Reworld
The new branding marks a shift in the company as it attempts to bolster its environmental services and sustainable materials management services.
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Pacific Coast grocers reduce wasted food tonnage by nearly 25% over 4 years
The reductions came via a public-private partnership among stakeholders across the food supply chain to share best practices to reduce food loss and waste 50% by 2030.
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Q&A
Stericycle executive talks sustainability, long-term efficiency plans
Cory White, Stericycle’s chief commercial officer, says data insights and customer demand are driving the company’s long-term sustainability strategy, including through fleet optimization, recycling and other efficiencies.
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Compostables break down in real-world conditions, but more work needed: report
The Composting Consortium, which is managed by the Center for the Circular Economy at Closed Loop Partners, calls this study the largest known North American field test of certified compostable packaging.
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Waste industry reacts to PFAS drinking water standards
The EPA’s new drinking water standards for PFAS may affect waste facility relationships with water treatment plants and add costs, waste industry groups say. WM, Republic Services, Casella, SWANA, NWRA and others weigh in.
Updated April 23, 2024 -
State officials list batteries, tires, PFAS-containing materials as most challenging to manage
The survey found a need for more resources and infrastructure to address the challenging materials.
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Landfill methane, overall waste sector emissions continued to decline in 2022
The U.S. EPA’s latest inventory of greenhouse gas emissions also tallied emissions from municipal solid waste combustion and anaerobic digestion.
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Green Li-ion opens battery materials recycling plant in Oklahoma
The company aims to close the loop on battery materials with the new facility, which produces raw materials from unsorted scrap.
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Waste Connections alleges broker Haulla stole business by impersonating customers
Waste Connections says Haulla, part of Ecube Labs, illegally used its online platform to steal customers in Texas. Haulla’s website offers to help new customers break contracts with their existing haulers.
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Education, transparency key to improving New York City’s recycling system, experts say
Recycling capture rates declined from 2017 to 2023 in New York City. Critics say DSNY is losing its focus on waste reduction and should redouble its efforts to get recycling and organics collection right.
Updated April 11, 2024